Blade Tensioning Mechanism

[Vector01]

Hi All:

 

For you newbie scrollers who have purchased saws that have the tensioning controls at the back of the saw, here is a little advice that might save you some aggravation. Most scroll saw manuals for these type saws are a bit vague on how to correctly use the tensioning mechanism. The instructions indicate tensioning the blade with the knob and then locking down the lever. Which in itself is basically correct. The problem is that proper tensioning is a two step process. Using just the knob to tension the blade and attempting to lock down the lever can cause damage to both the lever and the mechanism (I broke the lever on my first saw).

[attachment=0]tension web.jpg[/attachment]

The first step is to take out any slack in the blade using the tensioning knob. All that is needed here is some light tension. The second step is to apply the final tension to the blade by locking down the locking lever. If you cannot lock down the lever with finger pressure then release the lock down lever, back off of the tensioning knob and try again. After some trial and error you'll get the feel for tensioning your blades.

[chriss]

yup thats how i use mine...

[mouse]

I lock down the lever then turn down the knob and lever using finger and thumb, there is a definate point I can feel when the correct tension is reached.